Sandro shoots him a glare. Then focusing back on me, he gently maneuvers me so I’m facing him. He takes my hands once again, caressing them with his thumbs.
“This man,” he said, nodding toward the man with white-blond hair and an eyebrow piercing, “is Killian Donnelly.”
Sandro is nervous and worried. I don’t understand why. What does this man have to do with me? “Okay?”
Sandro holds my gaze. “He was the one following you in the black Mercedes.”
I glance at the stranger.This man was stalking me? Why is he sitting in Sandro’s penthouse like he’s a friend then?“I don’t understand.”
“His intent wasn’t to harm you but to protect you.”
I blink and stare at the stranger once again as I whisper. “Why would he want to do that?”
“Because, Angel,” he says, squeezing my hands to get my attention. When our eyes meet, he gives me the news that will change everything. “He’s your biological half-brother.”
The bottom drops out of my world. I shake my head no. “That’s not possible. You’re saying my mother had another kid?”
“No.” He pulls me back into his chest, his arm wrapped tight around me as if he can protect me from what’s coming. “Go on, Killian. It’s your story to tell.”
Killian slides forward and rests his elbows on his knees, lacing his fingers. His gaze holds mine. “What did your mam tell you about your da?”
Oh, his accent…he’s Irish?“That they met in Chicago. It was a one-night stand and she never heard from him again. Didn’t even know his name.”
“Right.” He nods, a bit of sadness or regret seeping into his expression. “The truth is your da is Mac Donnelly. He’s also my da.” He straightens and runs a hand over his jaw. “Your mam was his mistress for four years. She left him one day without notice, without any way to contact her. Just disappeared. Now we know she came to Tampa. Had help getting a job at Club Paradiso. I figure it’s because she found out she was carrying you, and she didn’t want you growing up in the life.”
Something cold and hard slithers up my spine.Could this be true?
Sandro tugs me closer.
“What life?” My voice is raw, laced with terror because I already know. Deep down, I already know what she was running from.
Still, hearing it out loud is a detonated bomb shattering my soul. “The mob life, dear sister.”
I immediately begin to shake as I really look at this man claiming to be my family.Do I resemble him?His eyes. The same shade as mine. But lots of people have green eyes. “How do I know you’re telling thetruth?”
He twists one of the silver rings on his hand, his expression sheepish. “I took one of your discarded coffee cups. Had a DNA test done. Your lad has the results.”
I look at Sandro. He’s watching me carefully. He nods.
I squeeze my eyes closed.How did I run from one nightmare into another?I’m so tired. I have one more question though. I sound defeated, even to my own ears. “How did you find out about me?”
For the first time, he looks apologetic. “Your Aunt Carla. She came to Da with some gambling debt she wanted out of. Said she had information. Told us about you in exchange for a clean slate.”
I didn’t think I could be any more shocked, but here we are. I was never comfortable at Aunt Carla’s. She had a drinking problem and would bring strange men home. I always slept with my bedroom door locked.But she knew who my father was all along? And to betray me? To betray Mom?It’s too much.
I turn my head and bury it in Sandro’s chest.
“All right. We’ll continue this chat tomorrow. She’s had enough.” He scoops me up in his arms and carries me.
I’m already losing consciousness as he lowers me onto a bed. Hot tears are dripping onto the pillow through my closed eyes. Every muscle in my body aches. My chest is so tight I can only take shallow breaths. I feel him removing my shoes, then my slacks. He pulls a cool comforter over me and tucks it around my body.
I don’t even have the strength to ask him not to leave me.
His lips press against my forehead then his thumb is wiping away my tears. His soothing voice whispers in my ear as the darkness pulls me under. “Sleep,angelo mio.You’re safe now.”
Chapter 36
Alessandro
